My sincere thanks to everyone who worked through the trying weather conditions last week. As Alaskans, we are certainly no strangers to adverse weather. However, the unseasonably heavy snowfall in Juneau and the destructively high winds in Anchorage and Mat-Su posed particular challenges to our staff.
I appreciate the extra effort by everyone who braved snow and high wind to report to work. Your efforts kept our operations running and our clients served.
To all DHSS Staff,
Although this week has been challenging due to fierce weather in Anchorage, Mat-Su and Juneau, we have been busy explaining the reorganization to the Legislature and other interested parties.
From: Jim Dalman, Acting Director
We all read yesterday's announcement by Commissioner Gilbertson concerning the major reorganization plan for our Department. Obviously, there are dramatic changes in store as the administration seeks ways to more efficiently deliver services. The part of the plan that has raised the most questions for Division of Public Assistance staff is the movement of the Adult Public Assistance Program to Division of Senior and Disabilities Services.
Over the past three months, the Department of Health and Social Services has completed a successful and smooth transition during the change of administrations. It is the hard work of all DHSS employees that has allowed our customers-both providers and clients-to experience no interruption in services.
As many of you know, every year DPA launches an EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) campaign to help raise awareness of the benefits of the EITC as well as the Advance EITC. As in the past, we will once again focus our marketing efforts toward informing Public Assistance recipients of tax credit opportunities.
As noted in Jim Dalman
An ancient Chinese proverb says "busy hands are never in want." Since being appointed by Governor Murkowski as Commissioner, I've been trying to figure this proverb out. To be honest, the past seven weeks have been a whirlwind time-both personally and professionally. ( Appointments press release)
We want to remind you of a new Food Stamp Program policy coming soon. Effective April 1, 2003, qualified aliens who have been in the U.S. at least five years are entitled to food stamps, if otherwise eligible.
Due to the volume of benefits, it is taking more time to process the Medicaid and Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance (CAMA) coupons issued by the mid-month Med Regular/Immediate Med Run jobs. We will not be scheduling an Immediate Med run the day following this job in the future.
You may have heard reports that some health care providers are refusing to accept Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance (CAMA) coupons because they believe CAMA is out of money. This broadcast is intended to provide you with accurate information so that you can respond to inquiries you may get from a CAMA recipient who has difficulty with a provider reluctant to accept their CAMA coupon.